Hold on, ladies. Before you lock yourself in your room during Super Sunday, impress your man by showing up for the big game, ready to support his team, and in turn, him when the Saints and the Colts collide on the grid iron.

“(Women become football) widows only if it really doesn’t interest you. If you enjoy spending time with your man, then you’ll learn about the game,” said Trena Bramblett, wife of Mark Bramblett, head coach of the North Georgia Bulldogs.

The knowledge can be pretty basic, said Bramblett, who keeps stats for the minor league football team.

“First one to get the ball down the field scores. The fewer flags, the better,” she said.

While she has an insiders view of the game, often from the sidelines, she’s quick to point out that one doesn’t have to live the sport to supportive.

“If you can get involved on any level, from pee-wee on up, do it. It’s amazing and you will find someone to support. It might the grandson of a friend but you can do it,” she said.

Bramblett said she’s loved football her entire life but getting involved with any sport will keep a family together and bring them closer. The Bramblett’s four children do everything from football to softball.

Husband Mark Bramblett said he tries to liken the sport to something the wives or girlfriends like to help them see where the passion is coming from.

“They were blessed with a good talent,” he said. “These aren’t dumb jocks, they are very intelligent.”

He adds that the came is a lot like chess, with the players as pieces and the coaches on the sideline trying to determine the next move.

Since her husband is the head coach, she gets to experience a different aspect of the game – bonding with the wives and girlfriends of the other players.

“We lucky to be involved in this,” she said.

She praises the players for being a constant in their life and the lives of all the children. “Those guys are wonderful. We’re a big family.”

Sometimes a changed practice will interfere with other plans and she has to work around it, but the other women understand and are there to listen. Often, those friends will turn a less than perfect situation into a fond memory.

“We’ve all complained about having to drive five hours for a game, only to have that become one of the best trips ever,” Bramblett said.

The bonds don’t end with the season, she said. “We’ve gotten together with players and their wives probably about 15 times since the season ended (in November),” she said. “Your ties aren’t cut at the end of the season.”

The Bulldogs are currently holding tryouts and Bramblett said she’s there most of the time. “Between work and football, Mark and I don’t have a lot of time to see each other, so I go out to show I support him.”

He heaps the praises on her, too and appreciates her efforts. “She understands the game very well. She’s hard core.”

A die-hard University of Tennessee fan, Bramblett said she’s got to root for the Colts on Sunday. “I have to pull for Payton (Manning) since he’ graduated from UT.”

The Run Down

Teams:

New Orleans Saints

Colors: Black and gold

Head Coach: Sean Payton

Quarterback: Drew Bees

Mascot: Gumbo the dog and Sir Saint

Personnel Owner(s): Tom Benson and Rita Benson LeBlanc

General manager: Mickey Loomis Head



Indianapolis Colts

Colors: Blue and white

Head coach: Jim Caldwell

Quarterback: Payton Manning

Mascot: Blue

Personnel Owner(s): Jim Briggs

General manager: Chris Polian